NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — They were voted rookie of the year 20 years ago in their respective sports and quickly piled up championships. Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter finally had a chance to play golf together Monday.
Only one of them is retired.
“He never played golf when he played baseball,” Woods said after going nine holes at Albany Golf Club with the former New York Yankees shortstop. “Now that he’s out of baseball, he’s addicted to playing golf. From what I had first heard from some of the guys I know who have played with him, he slashed it around. But now he’s focused. He likes to practice. He likes to play. He does his fitting, tries to get better. You can tell he’s analyzing, he’s watching, he’s asking questions.”
Woods has a new endorsement on his golf bag (Monster Energy) and a few new pieces of equipment, mainly a Bridgestone golf ball, a TaylorMade driver and the old Scotty Cameron putter he used to win his 14 major championships.
For someone who began playing only two years ago, Jeter already is down to a 10 handicap and hits it plenty far, usually where he’s aiming.
“He asked me a bunch of technical questions about the game, and I could hear him pick the brain over there with Rosie,” Woods said. “He wants to know. He’s one of the best athletes who ever lived. He wants to learn. He asks the right questions.”
“You would think that win a major and you’re done,” he said of the perfect end to a golf career. “But if you win a major, you’re going to want to come back and play.”
Woods relished the few hours with Jeter, and referenced an “end of the era thing.”
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